I feel like if you read something, and it makes you so curious about a topic that you then go read something else, that's exciting.

Perhaps this is how you know you're doing the thing you're intended to: No matter how slow or how slight your progress, you never feel that it's a waste of time.

Probably I, like a lot of people, became a writer in imitation of or in homage to the books I enjoyed. When you're so captivated by something, you think, could I do that? Hmm, let me try

We all make mistakes, don't we? But if you can't forgive yourself, you'll always be an exile in your own life.

People who think my books are autobiographical, which they're not, credit me with having a much better memory than I do. I do, however, have a powerful imagination

I don't really have special rituals, but I don't try to write fiction unless I have a minimum of a few hours. For me, it takes a while to settle into a mode where I'm truly concentrating

We have to make mistakes, its how we learn compassion for others

I always worried someone would notice me, and then when no one did, I felt lonely.

Obviously the bar is much higher now for a behavior to be scandalous. Social media has really changed the way people live. It's not a new impulse; it's just being enacted in a new way.

I don't think it's shameful to admit that some days your time can be better spent reading than writing.

I have this theory that the likeability question comes up so much more with female characters created by female authors than it does with male characters and male authors

I figure if there is a God, She's good and surged right now about the state of things down here.

But when people understand one another without speaking, it can often leave them with very little to talk about, don’t you think?

More than any other product of human scientific culture scientific knowledge is the collective property of all mankind.

The young should early be trained to bear being left alone; for it is a source of happiness and peace of mind.

Never forget that if you leave your law to judges and your religion to bishops, you will presently find yourself without either law or religion.

The northern people are riders and the southern people sailors; it is said quite true.

I'm reserved. I'm more of an introvert than an extrovert.

Earnie Shavers could punch you in the neck and break your ankle.

Agitation is the marshalling of the conscience of a nation to mold its laws.

Ageing doesn't mean giving up on style and individuality; it doesn't mean abandoning fashion and living in comfy slippers and flannel knickers.